Federation League winds down
North End – for the moment at least – have snared third place in the men’s Federation League.
They were given maximum points from their halftime 4-0 lead over Wanganui City last weekend before the game at Palmerston North’s Skoglund Park was called off because of the wet weather.
But Palmerston North Marist can still claim a third-place finish because of their superior goal difference if they beat Red Sox-manawatu¯ in their re-scheduled game on August 31. The game between the two teams was abandoned last weekend after less than 15 minutes due to the sodden state of the Memorial Park, Palmerston North, pitch.
Scorers for North End against City were Nathan Cooksley, Elijah Smith, Jake Erskine and Michael Sheridan.
Coach Garry Hodge said North End scored in the first 30 seconds and could have had more by the break, which turned into the end of the game. But he was pleased that whatever happened with Palmerston North Marist in their last game, North End had the satisfaction of beating them this season.
At the other end of the league ladder, Hokowhitu have a crucial last game against eighth-placed Red Sox. At 10th spot on the ladder, Hokowhitu are in the relegation zone, but two goals or at least a point from their clash against Red Sox will boost them above ninthplaced New Plymouth Rangers, who have finished their programme.
Rangers will then join Palmerston North Boys’ High as one of the bottom two sides and so will be more in danger of relegation if it is reintroduced this year.
In their first encounter this season Red Sox ran out 4-3 winners over Hokowhitu.
In other final games today Massey University host fifthplaced Wanganui Athletic and Boys’ High play at Wanganui City.
Massey coach Donald Piper said the student lineup would be ‘‘vastly different’’ from the side that lost 3-2 to Athletic in the first round, when Massey had a lot of players away.
Seventh-placed Massey have won their last three games and Piper said they were determined to go out on a winning note.
The other game this weekend sees second-placed Napier Marist
hosting unbeaten Havelock North Wanderers to complete their programmes.
Wanderers take the title, won last year by Palmerston North Marist.
Not playing this weekend are Palmerston North Marist, who have a bye, while North End and Rangers have finished their programmes.